Rain spoils run fest as South Africa wins by D/L method

Venky Mysore and Shah Rukh Khan would be the happiest people as both the Kolkata KnightRider recruits scored heavily in a “pointless” match that came to a “pointless” end. South Africa won the one off T20 by 11 runs (D/L method) against India at Wanderers, today.

India were well on course to chase down a huge South African total of 219/4 when the skies opened up to interrupt their pursuit. India were 71/0 after 7.5 overs when the rain came down to hand the match to the Proteas.

The new opening pair of Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa gave India a rollicking start that ignited the hopes of an Indian victory. Gambhir remained unbeaten on 49 off 28 deliveries while Robin Uthappa scored 18 off 19.

Gambhir looked in great touch as he played some delightful drives and ferocious cuts while Uthappa looked jittery making an international comeback.

Earlier, South Africa plundered a massive 219/4 after MS Dhoni elected to field. A new look Proteas side tormented the Indian bowling with some lusty hitting with Colin Ingram scoring 78 off just 50 deliveries.

The misery of the Indian bowling continued as the South African batsmen made merry on a docile track. The Indian bowlers contributed whole heartedly to the run fest by constantly erring in line and length.

The new T20 sensation Richard Levi started off the carnival by smashing both Praveen Kumar and Irfan Pathan for back to back boundaries. The right hander dashed to a seven ball 19 before he was caught in slips by Rohit Sharma off Irfan Pathan.

That brought the pair of Colin Ingram and Jacques Kallis together, who added 119- runs and galvanised the Indians with stunning strokeplay. Kallis (61) got into his own and played cultured cricket shots while Ingram brought up his maiden T20 fifty by spanking the Indian bowling all over the park. The left hander took a special liking to Vinay Kumar while Kallis focussed his attention on R. Ashwin.Ingram struck Viany Kumar for 20 runs in an over while Kallis deposited the spinners into the stands.

The finishing touch to the Proteas innings, however, were provided by Justing Ontong who smashed a seven ball 22 and Albie Morkel who walloped 16 off just three deliveries. The Indian bowlers were all over the shop as they sprayed the ball on both sides of the wicket.

This one off T20 brings an end to what has been a disappointing season for the Indian cricket team. After winning the World Cup in April 2011, the Men in Blue have had a tough time matching the exploits of the past.

The end of the season, however, signals the start of the widely awaited cricketing extravaganza – IPL‘s fifth edition.